Staff Favorites - Adam Winkel

Reviews

Mas Martinet's Sara Perez has quietly been at the forefront of Priorat's recent transformation. She was one of the earlier producers to recognize that these intensely flavored, Mediterranean reds do not need much in the way of ageing in new barrels, or fussing around in the cellar to create higher impact, more extracted wines. Accordingly, this Carinyena, Garnacha, Syrah and Merlot based Priorat is beautiful and bright, a blend of wild red and blackberries, with a subtle wild herb savor to complement the fruit. A delicious, full bodied and honest red to usher in the spring season.

Really ready to drink, spicy and earthy, sweet but not too much. Great value. 1985 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port. As prices escalate for old and rare wines it becomes difficult for a wine merchant to present customers with mature bottles that offer true value. This begins to explain our excitement over the recent acquisition of this 1985 Quinta do Noval vintage port. So many 85's were able to hide their firm tannins behind what seems like orchards of ripe, heady fruit notes. The wines seemed to drink well in their youth despite being a bit simple. But now, at 22 years of age the richness and over the top sweetness has been honed to an understated complexity, and promises good drinking for many years to come. Enjoy.

This legendary wine was the first Burgundy to which Robert Parker ever awarded a perfect 100 point score. It comes from the rich and legendary vintage of 1985, the best of which are fully mature and drinking fabulously. This was acquired directly from a noted local collector, who bought it on release and has kept it in his perfectly controlled extensive cellar. If you are looking for something truly exceptional look no further!

Conventional wisdom is that the best red wine values at this price level might come from South America or elsewhere in the New World. But I contend that you can't do better than one of the most important terroirs in the Old World... the Douro. This consistently excellent bottling from Vallado is always good, but the standout 2011 vintage is unstoppable. Firm yet polished, perfumed, expressively mineral-driven, and even a little serious. A case-purchase consideration if there ever was one.

(Popped and poured 03/2014 from magnum) An underrated wine that still delivers a fine value. A savory palate with dusty Napa terroir harmonizes with the tannins that at this stage seem polished and sweet. The overall profile would please someone who likes their Napa Cabs in a classic style, yet the wine is plenty generous. Excellent structure. A 750ml should be right in its drinking window while the large formats could go much longer.

This is a good port to serve with a non-chocolate dessert course. The bombastically nutty and spicy profile complements your dessert course beautifully, when a more delicate style of Tawny would get crushed. Try it with creme brulee or pumpkin pie! An open bottle in the fridge will change very slowly, so pour it when called for... it will last for weeks or even months.

Like Graham's 10 Year Tawny, the 20 Year is a wine that is great to pair with a dessert course. Excellent with pastry or custards, this big boy does amazing things alongside something as down-home as pumpkin pie or even carrot cake with walnuts and cream cheese frosting. The Graham's 20 also has enough richness to pair with caramel-based desserts. An open bottle will keep in the fridge for weeks or even months, so no rush to finish it.

This shows amazing nuance and freshness, and the nuttiness comes in late to create a great overarching, transitory complexity. This would prove versatile with custards or nutty desserts, but it's certainly also one to savor on its own.